Enhanced yield of diverse varieties of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) by different isolates of Mesorhizobium ciceri

In present investigation, six potential candidates of Mesorhizobium ciceri were isolated from five different districts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh and were characterized based on biochemical characteristics as well as 16S rDNA sequences. Isolates were analyzed for their multiple plant growth promoting traits, resistance to various environmental stresses such as temperature, pH and salt and were tested individually for growth and yield of three popular varieties of chickpea viz. Avarodi, Uday and PUSA-372, cultivated in the mid-Gangetic region of India. All the isolates exhibited siderophore production and were able to solubilize the inorganic phosphate and zinc. Among total, 50% isolates were found positive to produce ammonia and HCN whereas, IAA production was exhibited in 33.3% isolates. Most of the isolates were found able to tolerate environmental stresses. The growth and yield of Avarodhi and Uday chickpea varieties were found significantly higher when treated with M. ciceri strain S3N1 while in variety PUSA-372 it was exhibited when treated with M. ciceri strain VAR2.2. Present investigation concluded that a particular M. ciceri strain might not be wholly effective for a wide range of chickpea varieties. These strains may be effective bioinoculant for the growth and yield enhancement of chickpea.